Biodiesel production from waste cotton seed oil using low cost catalyst: Engine performance and emission characteristics

SummaryProduction of fatty acid methyl esters from waste cotton seed oil through transesterification was reported. The GC-MS analysis of WCCO oil was studied and the major fatty acids were found to be palmitic acid (27.76%) and linoleic acid (42.84%). The molecular weight of the oil was 881.039 g/mol. A maximum yield of 92% biodiesel was reported when the reaction temperature, time, methanol/oil ratio and catalyst loading rate were 60 °C, 50 min, 12:1 and 3% (wt.%), respectively. The calcined egg shell catalyst was prepared and characterized. Partial purification of the fatty acid methyl esters was proposed for increasing the purity of the biodiesel and better engine performance. The flash point and the fire point of the biodiesel were found to be 128 °C and 136 °C, respectively. The Brake thermal efficiency of WCCO B10 biodiesel was 26.04% for maximum load, specific fuel consumption for diesel was 0.32 kg/kW h at maximum load. The use of biodiesel blends showed a reduction of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions and a marginal increase in nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions improved emission characteristics.